Yukinobu Chai 15.5" Archtop

Yukinobu Chai · 1993

Inquire about this guitar →

A very nice 15.5” hand-carved archtop from Japanese luthier Yukinobu Chai. Quite a rarity, as Chai is mostly known for making classical guitars after starting as a violin maker. Also of note is its shorter 24.5” scale length.

Specs / Measurements

• 1993

• Spruce / Figured Maple, carved top and back

• Five-piece figured maple neck

• Brazilian rosewood pickguard

• Ebony tailpiece / bridge

• ~1.70” nut

• ~24.5” string length

• ~2.07” string spacing at saddle

• 15.5” lower bout

• Multi ply purflings throughout

• Pearl block inlays on fretboard and bridge wings

• Floating pickup with volume and tone control

• Grover tuners

• Arched top hard case.

Condition / Setup Notes

Excellent(+); Especially considering its many years, it’s in immaculate shape. Minimal discernible wear. Currently set up with string height about 4/64”-3.5/64” with just a touch of relief.

Additional Thoughts

In addition to being an excellent carved acoustic archtop guitar, it brings together a number of specs that make it fairly unique. It’s lower bout width, at 15.5”, already makes it a bit special, then add to it the 24.5” scale length. It’s also luxuriously outfitted, with a solid Brazilian rosewood pickguard (it’s 0.1” thick), and multi ply bindings all over. Also luxurious are the top and back carves, which are deep and display Chai’s background in violin-making. Just everything you want an acoustic archtop to be.

Inquire about this guitar · Purchase & shipping policies